Ipswich Town defender Janoi Donacien is set to finally make his international debut this weekend.
The 29-year-old was born on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia before moving to England with his family at the age of eight in 2001.
Back in 2018 he appeared bemused by a lack of a call-up from his home nation, saying: "They’ve never been in touch with me so I must be flying under the radar and they must have better players. If they want to ring me then I’m open."
That call has finally come from Saint Lucia manager Stern John, the former Nottingham Forest, Birmingham, Coventry and Southampton striker who had a seven game loan spell at Ipswich in 2009/10.
Donacien is currently with the squad in Miami ahead of their CONCACAF Gold Cup first preliminary round game against Martinique this weekend, a game that will be played at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
"It’s been brilliant to be out here with the boys," the Town defender told the club site.
"To represent your country is obviously something any football player would be proud of, so to have that opportunity now is great for me and my family."
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Should they win on Saturday, Saint Lucia - currently 169 in the FIFA world rankings - will play a second preliminary round game next week in an attempt to secure one of the final three places at the Gold Cup Finals, that tournament being played in the US and Canada from June 25.
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